Speculum.



D. H. PALMER.

SPBGULUM.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 17,1911.

Patented June 25, 1912.

WITNESSES: M6

DON I-I. PALMER, OF SEATTLE, WASHINGTON.

SPECULUM.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, DON H. PALMER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Seattle, in the county of King and State of Washington, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Specula, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to vaginal specula.

The object of the invention is the provision of a speculum which may be adjusted to suit the exact requirements of any abdominal condition; and to be reliably selfretaining under all conditions to enable the operator to have the full use of both hands in making examinations or operations for immediate repair of the perineum.

The invention further consists in the novel construction, adaptation and arrangement of parts, as will be hereinafter more fully described, illustrated in the drawings, and finally set forth in the appended claims.

In said drawings, Figure 1 is 'a perspec tive view of an embodiment of my inven tion. Fig. 2 is a side elevation showing an application of the same. Fig. 3 is a vertical cross sectional view through a blade of the speculum.

The reference numerals 1 and 2 designate a pair of laterally movable speculum mem-' bers which are each comprised of oppositely corresponding blades 3 for introduction within the vaginal cavity and rearwardly extending shanks at. Lateral adjustment of the members relative to each other is made through the screw devices 5 and 6 in the ordinary or other suitable manner. Along their outer lower edges, as at 7, the blades are cut away to prevent the contact of same with the vaginal entrance while forwardly therefrom the blades are depressed inwardly in proximity of their lower edges to afford a slightly hollow portion 8 to enable the laterally pressing members a firmer grip upon the lateral walls of the vagina. Fig. 3, showing by cross section the compound curve afforded by such configuration, illustrates the contours of the blades.

lntegrally or otherwise fixedly secured to one of the members 1 or 2 is an upstanding post 9 having an extension 10 in sliding engagement therewith. The post may be formed with marginal ribs 11 affording a channel therebetween in which the extension may slide vertically. The latter is provided with an elongated slot 12 through Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed J'u1y 17, 1911.

Patented June 25, 1912.

Serial No. 638,877.

which a threaded stud 13 is protruded and engages in a threaded hole 14: in proximity of the upper part of said post to secure the extension in adjusted position relative to the post.

The upper extremity of the extension 10 is apertured for the passage therethrough of a screw-threaded stud 15 which also passes through the elongated slot 16 of an horizontal arm 17 and terminates in the threaded hole of a nut 18 upon the opposite side of the arm. Said nut is provided ward extremity of the arm 17 The upper' end of said rod terminates in a head 21 through which the same may be rotated and the lower end is provided with a curved plate 22 secured to the rod to permit the free rotation of the latter.

WVhen in use the device is usually positioned, as shown in full lines in Fig. 2. The members 1 and 2 are separated to obtain a lateral hold upon the interior lateral walls of the vagina. The exterior depressions 8 of the blades serve to afford a firmer and surer engagement, as previously described. The upstanding post 9 and its extension 10 may be slidably adjusted as to length and are secured together through the screw-stud l3; similarly the forward extremity of the arm 17 is horizontally adjustable and may be extended forwardly until superposed over the 0s pubis whereupon the rod 20 is manipulated to cause the plate 22 to bear upon symphisis pubis and an additional turn or two of the screw will aiford suflicient pressure to hold the entire device in adjusted position. The dotted lines in Fig; 2 illustrate the device when adjusted in a more forward position to have said curved plate bear upon the anterior abdominal wall.

The device is capable of adaptation to a wide variety of work and simple adjustment to suit the requirements of physical structure of any patient. It is especially adapted as a portable instrument as it may be-easily carried in an obstetric bag and utilizedby the physician in obstetrical work where conveniences are lackingl It will reliably hold itself in position and therefore allows the free use of both hands by the operator.

\Vhat I claim as new, is-

1. A speculum consisting of a pair of laterally separablemembers, an upright extensible post fixedly secured to one of said members, an arm in substantial parallelism with the axes of said members arranged to be adjustably secured to said post, a screw threaded vertically disposed rod mounted in a threaded aperture in the forward end of said rod and adapted for reciprocal movement relative to the forward ends of said .7 members, and a pressure plate upon the said members, and a pressure plate at the lower end of said rod.

3. In combination with the separable blade members of a speculum, each blade thereof having a depression in its exterior surface in proximity of its lower edge, of an upright post fixedly secured to one of said members, an arm in substantial parallelism with the axes of said members and arranged to be adjustably secured to said post, and a screw threaded rod provided with a pressure plate at its lower end mounted within the forward end of said arm and adapted to be adjusted toward or away from said blade members.

4. A speculum comprising, in combination, a pair of laterally separable blade members, each blade having a depression in its exterior surface in proximity of its lower edge, devices for adjusting the blades in operative positions, an upright extensible post fixedly secured to one of said members, an arm in substantial parallelism with the axes of said members and arranged to be adjustis ably secured to said post at predetermined forwardly or rearwardly positions, a screwthreaded vertically disposed rod mounted in a threaded aperture in the forward end of said arm and having reciprocal movement relative to the forward ends of said members, and a pressure plate mounted for independent rotary movements uponv the lower end of said rod.

DON H. PALMER.

lVitnesses H. BARNES, E. PETERSON.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, I). G. 

